The True Meaning of Religion According to Swami Vivekananda

Religion is the science of the mind. It is not centered on rigid dogmas, rituals, or scriptures but rather on the unfolding of inner truth. He taught that every action has consequences—a principle known in Sanskrit as Karma Phala, which signifies that good or bad deeds will yield corresponding results. Thus, religion is about personal responsibility, self-realization, and understanding our true nature.

A truly religious person realizes that we are not merely the body-mind complex but the Atman, the eternal soul. The ultimate goal is Moksha, or liberation, which is freedom from this limited self and the realization of our oneness with the universal Self.